Abstract: Methods, spray devices, and kits for the in situ formation of silk fibroin fibers and/or aerosols are disclosed. Rapidly mixing a silk fibroin solution and a beta sheet initiation solution forms a mixed solution, which is rapidly expanded to form the silk fibroin fibers and/or aerosols. The beta sheet initiation solution includes a hygroscopic polymer having a molecular weight of between 7.5 kDa and 15.0 kDa. The rapid mixing and rapid expanding occur within one second of one another. Silk fibroin aerosols are formed when a molecular weight distribution of fragments in the silk fibroin solution is below an aerosol-fiber threshold. Silk fibroin fibers are formed when the molecular weight distribution is below the aerosol-fiber threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides aqueous electrolytes with a lower salt concentration and wider electrochemical stability window compared to water-in-salt electrolytes. The aqueous electrolyte composition of the disclosure comprises an anti-solvent, which reduces the H2O activity and the amount of H2O in the Li-ion solvation sheath. In one particular embodiment of the disclosure provides a nonflammable aqueous electrolyte composition for a lithium-ion battery, wherein the aqueous electrolyte composition comprises: an electrolyte salt comprising a lithium salt; water; and an organic component that is miscible with water. In some embodiments, the electrochemical stability window of the aqueous electrolyte composition is greater than 3.0 V and a molality of an electrolyte salt in said aqueous electrolyte composition is about 5 m or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides rechargeable divalent metal batteries comprising a multidentate compound. In particular, the presence of a multidentate compound in the electrolyte of the rechargeable divalent metal batteries significantly increases the interfacial charge transfer kinetics and/or suppresses undesired side reactions on both cathodes and metal anodes. It is believed that these effects are at least in part due to solvation sheath reorganization by the multidentate compound. Other aspects of the disclosure include methods for reducing a charge transfer overpotential and methods for increasing a charge transfer kinetics in rechargeable divalent metal batteries.

Abstract: A method of screening is provided including providing a combination of a plurality of proliferating cell types wherein each proliferating cell type has a unique associated barcode within its genome that is different from other proliferating cell types of the plurality and wherein each proliferating cell type includes an exogenous gene that when expressed produces an associated phenotype to the proliferating cell type which alters proliferation of the cell type, introducing a perturbation to one or more of the plurality of proliferating cell types, inducing expression of one or more of the exogenous genes, determining the relative number of unique associated barcodes after a period of proliferation, and comparing the relative number of unique associated barcodes to a control relative number of unique associated barcodes to indicate the effect of the perturbation on the one or more of the plurality of proliferating cell types.

Abstract: Aspects of the application relate to methods and compositions for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids to neural cells or tissue in a subject. Additional aspects of the application relate to therapeutic nucleic acids, for example therapeutic ribozymes, that are useful for inhibiting viral reactivation in a subject.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure provide strategies, systems, reagents, methods, and kits that are useful for the targeted editing of nucleic acids, including editing a single site within the genome of a cell or subject, e.g., within the human genome. The disclosure provides fusion proteins of nucleic acid programmable DNA binding proteins (napDNAbp), e.g., Cas9 or variants thereof, and nucleic acid editing proteins such as cytidine deaminase domains (e.g., novel cytidine deaminases generated by ancestral sequence reconstruction), and adenosine deaminases that deaminate adenine in DNA. Aspects of the disclosure relate to fusion proteins (e.g., base editors) that have improved expression and/or localize efficiently to the nucleus. In some embodiments, base editors are codon optimized for expression in mammalian cells. In some embodiments, base editors include multiple nuclear localization sequences (e.g., bipartite NLSs), e.g., at least two NLSs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for efficiently generating edited DNA, ranging from DNA molecules with simple point mutations to complex DNA libraries. The methods and kits use a single-stranded deoxyuridine (dU)-containing template to align a series of DNA oligomers that contain mutations relative to the template strand, giving rise to the sequence variation in the product. The methods and kits may be used to produce DNA libraries or to generate multiple, widely spaced mutations in a target sequence.

Abstract: Artificial cervical fluid is disclosed that contains a mucilaginous extract from the okra plant. The mucilaginous extract can be produced using a hot aqueous extractant or cold extraction process followed by separation of larger particles from the extract. The extract finds many uses, for example as a sperm storage medium, a sperm freezing medium, a sexual lubricant, an artificial insemination medium, an in vitro fertilization medium, and methods for treating and/or preventing infection, replication, and transmission of viruses, such as sexually transmitted viruses.

Abstract: Computer-implemented system and method are disclosed herein for fine tuning a neural network model. The method includes seeking, in a loss landscape, a nonlinear path with a loss barrier from a loss function associated with a first neural network model. The method further includes altering, in response to said seeking, one or more mechanisms of the first neural network model to induce a second neural network model.

Abstract: Formulations comprising one or more active agents for blood storage and transfusions are provided. Also provided methods for prolonging viability of blood and enhancing efficacy of blood transfusion.

Abstract: Protein constructs comprising a BTNL3/8 targeting moiety, a payload and an optional linker are described herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the constructs, and methods of use thereof are presented.

Abstract: A tape for collecting tissue samples in a manner compatible with imaging in a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) system, includes a tape substrate having two side walls forming a trough. The trough is defined by a bottom surface of the tape substrate and internal surfaces of the side walls, with an open side therebetween. A support film is attached to a top surface of the tape substrate, and a plurality of apertures is spaced at predetermined locations along the length of the tape substrate, each aperture being covered by the support film. The tape includes a stacked configuration in which the tape substrate is wound in layers, the bottom surfaces of the side walls in one layer being in contact with the support film in an immediately adjacent layer. The apertures in the second layer are aligned within the trough of the first layer, between the side walls.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds useful for the treatment of various proliferative diseases. These compounds, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used in methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of proliferative diseases, including cancer, and more specifically, pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: A catalytic structure has a plurality of high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles. Each HEA nanoparticle is composed of a homogeneous mixture of elements of cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and at least two transition metal elements. For example, in some embodiments, each HEA nanoparticle is a quinary mixture of Co, Mo, iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu). The homogeneous mixture in each HEA nanoparticle forms a single solid-solution phase. The catalytic structure is used to catalyze a chemical reaction, for example, ammonia decomposition or ammonia synthesis. Methods for forming the catalytic structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing a minimally invasive percutaneous procedure comprises a medical device comprising a hydrogel delivery needle (4) with a tip and a hydrogel outlet (6), an injectable, shear-thinning, self-healing viscoelastic hydrogel that exhibits a storage modulus (G?) of at least 600 Pa, and a tan ? (G?/G?) from 0.1 to 0.6 in dynamic viscoelasticity measured by a rheometer at 1 Hz and 1% strain rate at 25° C. The system may also comprise a coaxial cannula (2) having a lumen configured for receipt of the hydrogel delivery needle (4), wherein the hydrogel delivery needle comprises an adjustable positioning mechanism (8) configured to limit the advancement depth of the hydrogel delivery needle through the coaxial cannula to a predetermined depth distal to a distal-most end of the coaxial cannula.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-myeloablative antibody-toxin conjugates and compositions that target cell surface markers, such as the CD34, CD45 or CD117 receptors, and related methods of their use to effectively conditioning a subject's tissues (e.g., bone marrow tissue) prior to engraftment or transplant. The compositions and methods disclosed herein may be used to condition a subject's tissues in advance of, for example, hematopoietic stem cell transplant and advantageously such compositions and methods do not cause the toxicities that are commonly associated with traditional conditioning methods.

Abstract: A method comprises using an atomic-force microscope, acquiring a set of images associated with surfaces, and, using a machine-learning algorithm applied to the images, classifying the surfaces. As a particular example, the classification can be done in a way that relies on surface parameters derived from the images rather than using the images directly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are recombinant viral genomes comprising an inhibitory oligonucleotide that reduces inflammation for use, for example, in gene therapy.

Abstract: A method and system of 3D cold-spray printing to produce an object by adhering powder grains to a substrate. The powder grains are ionized by injecting the powder grains into an ionizing mechanism to produce ionized powder grains. Next, the ionized powder grains are focused into a stream using an electromagnetic lens, wherein the stream has a thickness approaching the average diameter of the powder grain. The stream is directed at a substrate such that powder grains are deposited on and adhered to the substrate.